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COLLEGE BASEBALL '26: Ten teams to watch

Ten teams to watch in college baseball in 2026, listed in alphabetical order with 2025 record:

Arkansas (50-15)

Dave Van Horn fields winning and usually elite teams year after year, so don't bet against him finding a way to put together a College World Series-worthy team despite having to replace the entire outfield and weekend rotation. Gabe Gaeckle fills the Friday night starter's role, which he held the first month of last season before moving to the bullpen. Ryan Helfrick is one of the nation's best catchers.

Coastal Carolina (56-13)

The Chanticleers, who strung together 26 wins in a row before getting swept by LSU in the CWS finals, will continue to rely on pitching and defense and an opportunistic offense. Cameron Flukey anchors the weekend rotation after going 8-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings. Coastal batters were hit by pitches a Division I-record 176 times.

Georgia Tech (41-19)

D1Baseball touts the Yellow Jackets' lineup as the best overall in the country with Drew Burress ranked No. 1 center fielder, Jarren Advincula the No. 2 second baseman and Vahn Lackey the No. 2 catcher. Kent Schmidt (.397) leads a group of seven players who batted at least .300. Tate McKee anchors a pitching staff that will determine how far this team goes.

Louisville (42-24)

The Cardinals made a nice postseason run, going 2-2 at the CWS, and they bring back many of the key pieces. Lefty Ethan Eberle had a strong freshman season and succeeds strikeout machine Patrick Forbes as the Friday night starter. The offense has strength and speed. Tague Davis and Zion Rose combined for 31 homers, and Lucas Moore led the nation with 53 steals.

LSU (53-15)

The Tigers have won two of the last three national championships and are set up to make another run. Derek Curiel is a projected top-10 draft pick and will play center in what stacks up to be the best outfield in the country. LSU, which lost Kade Anderson (No. 3 draft pick), has a rising in star in Friday night starter Casan Evans, who repeatedly came through in high-pressure situations out of the bullpen as a freshman.

Mississippi State (36-23)

Lots of eyes will be on the Bulldogs with Brian O'Connor taking over after 22 seasons at Virginia. His transfer class is one of the best in the country. Tomas Valincius, projected to be the No. 1 starter, is among five players who followed O'Connor from Virginia. Kevin Milewski hit 16 homers for Seton Hall and Drew Wyers batted .407 at Bryant, where he was America East player of the year. Ace Reese (.352, 21 HRs) is among 15 holdovers.

Tennessee (46-19)

Another team that will draw lots of eyeballs with Josh Elander taking over after the San Francisco Giants hired away Tony Vitello to be their manager. Elander was Vitello's right-hand man as the Volunteers evolved into an elite program, but he inherits a team that has significant holes to fill. Tegan Kuhns, who made 10 starts as a freshman, gets the ball for the opener. Virginia transfer Henry Ford, one of the top players in the ACC the last two years, adds pop.

TCU (39-20)

The Horned Frogs are set up for a deep postseason run after they made the NCAA Tournament with a young core of players. Big 12 preseason player of the year Sawyer Strosnider was the first freshman since 2001 to post a quadruple-double with 13 doubles, 10 triples, 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Friday night starter Tommy LaPour led the Frogs with eight wins and had a 3.09 ERA over 16 starts and was 6-0 in Big 12 games.

Texas (44-14)

The pitching staff is loaded and led by 2025 All-American Dylan Volantis, who moves from the closer's role to Friday night starter, and transfers Carson Tinney and Aiden Robbins bolster the offense. Volantis posted a 1.94 ERA and opponent batting average of .185 as a freshman. Tinney batted .348 with 17 homers for Notre Dame, and Robbins was in the top 10 nationally with a .422 batting average and .537 on-base percentage for Seton Hall.

UCLA (48-18)

John Savage is an old-school coach who likes to develop his own talent and go to the transfer portal sparingly, and that served him well with his current group. The Bruins are well-positioned for a big season with all but one everyday starter back. It all starts with SS Roch Cholowsky, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the MLB draft. San Diego transfer Logan Reddemann, one of two players brought in through the portal, is the No. 1 pitcher. Freshman pitcher Angel Cervantes is highest-drafted player (No. 50) to choose to go to college.

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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

St. John's Zuby Ejiofor is named the AP men's college basketball player of the week

The Associated Press national player of the week in men’s college basketball for Week 14 of the season:

Zuby Ejiofor, No. 17 St. John's

The 6-foot-9, 245-pound senior came up huge in a marquee matchup with then-No. 3 UConn and flirted with a triple-double. Ejiofor finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals in Friday's 81-72 victory over UConn at New York's Madison Square Garden, ending the Huskies' 18-game winning streak. Earlier in the week, he had 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one block in a win at DePaul. Those performances helped St. John's enter this week with a nine-game winning streak.

Runner-up

Quadir Copeland, N.C. State. The 6-6 senior began last week with seven points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists with zero turnovers in 33 minutes of a road win at SMU. That marked the first time an Atlantic Coast Conference player had 16 assists with zero turnovers since 1997 and the first in Division I since 2019. He followed with a season-high 21 points, 10 assists and five steals in a weekend home win against Virginia Tech. Copeland entered the week ranked eighth in Division I in assists (7.0).

Honorable mention

Otega Oweh, No. 25 Kentucky; Ebuka Okorie, Stanford.

Keep an eye on

Dylan Andrews, Boise State. The 6-3 senior erupted with two big outputs in high-scoring wins to be named Mountain West Conference player of the week. Andrews had 25 points and six assists in a 91-87 overtime win against Nevada. He followed with 33 points and four assists in Saturday's win at New Mexico. Andrews made 16 of 26 shots (.615), 7 of 15 3-pointers (.467) and 19 of 20 free throws (.950) for the two games while committing just three turnovers in 70 minutes of game action. Andrews is averaging 12.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Faces of fearlessness: Skeleton helmets at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, in photos

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) β€” From political statements to national pride and fearless personas, skeleton racers at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics use their helmets to express themselves.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Cleveland plays Washington, aims for 5th straight victory

Washington Wizards (14-38, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-21, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Cleveland; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Cleveland seeks to keep its four-game win streak going when the Cavaliers take on Washington.

The Cavaliers are 19-13 in Eastern Conference games. Cleveland scores 119.6 points and has outscored opponents by 3.6 points per game.

The Wizards are 9-22 in Eastern Conference play. Washington is 2-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Cavaliers score 119.6 points per game, 3.2 fewer points than the 122.8 the Wizards give up. The Wizards average 112.1 points per game, 3.9 fewer than the 116.0 the Cavaliers give up to opponents.

The two teams play for the third time this season. The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 130-126 in their last meeting on Dec. 13. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 48 points, and Bub Carrington led the Wizards with 27 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 29 points, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen is averaging 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over the past 10 games.

Kyshawn George is averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Wizards. Will Riley is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 9-1, averaging 119.7 points, 44.0 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points per game.

Wizards: 4-6, averaging 110.4 points, 41.7 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 9.5 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.8 points.

INJURIES: Cavaliers: Max Strus: out (foot), Tyrese Proctor: day to day (illness), Evan Mobley: out (calf), Dean Wade: out (ankle), Jaylon Tyson: day to day (ankle).

Wizards: Anthony Davis: out for season (finger), Jaden Hardy: day to day (not injury related), Kyshawn George: day to day (ankle), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Anthony Gill: day to day (hand), D'Angelo Russell: day to day (illness), Tre Johnson: day to day (ankle), Trae Young: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Castle leads San Antonio against Los Angeles after 40-point performance

San Antonio Spurs (36-16, second in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (32-20, fifth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Spurs -8.5; over/under is 229.5

BOTTOM LINE: San Antonio visits the Los Angeles Lakers after Stephon Castle scored 40 points in the Spurs' 138-125 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers are 21-13 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles is seventh in the Western Conference scoring 116.0 points while shooting 49.9% from the field.

The Spurs are 22-13 against conference opponents. San Antonio averages 117.6 points and has outscored opponents by 5.4 points per game.

The Lakers score 116.0 points per game, 3.8 more points than the 112.2 the Spurs allow. The Spurs are shooting 47.5% from the field, 1.0% lower than the 48.5% the Lakers' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Spurs won the last matchup 107-91 on Jan. 8. Keldon Johnson scored 27 points to help lead the Spurs to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: LeBron James is averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura is averaging 12.3 points over the past 10 games.

De'Aaron Fox is averaging 19.5 points and 6.2 assists for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama is averaging 22.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 48.1% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-4, averaging 114.9 points, 40.5 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 9.3 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.4 points per game.

Spurs: 7-3, averaging 116.8 points, 46.5 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 6.9 steals and 7.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.1 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Luka Doncic: out (hamstring), Adou Thiero: out (knee).

Spurs: Lindy Waters III: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Johnson and the Hawks visit conference foe Charlotte

Atlanta Hawks (26-29, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (25-29, 10th in the Eastern Conference)

Charlotte, North Carolina; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Hawks visit Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets in Eastern Conference play Wednesday.

The Hornets are 15-20 in conference games. Charlotte is fifth in the NBA with 45.9 rebounds led by Moussa Diabate averaging 8.6.

The Hawks have gone 13-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta is eighth in the league averaging 14.6 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 37.1% from downtown. Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads the team averaging 3.1 makes while shooting 37.6% from 3-point range.

The Hornets average 15.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.1 more made shots on average than the 13.3 per game the Hawks give up. The Hawks average 117.5 points per game, 3.6 more than the 113.9 the Hornets give up to opponents.

The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Hornets defeated the Hawks 126-119 in their last matchup on Feb. 8. Bridges led the Hornets with 26 points, and Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 31 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bridges is averaging 18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 21.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists over the past 10 games.

Johnson is averaging 23.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists for the Hawks. CJ McCollum is averaging 19.7 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 9-1, averaging 116.0 points, 47.8 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.2 points per game.

Hawks: 6-4, averaging 117.6 points, 43.3 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.8 points.

INJURIES: Hornets: Coby White: out (calf), Liam McNeeley: day to day (ankle).

Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga: out (knee), Jalen Johnson: day to day (knee), Dyson Daniels: day to day (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Orlando takes home win streak into matchup with Milwaukee

Milwaukee Bucks (21-30, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (28-24, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -10; over/under is 220.5

BOTTOM LINE: Orlando hosts Milwaukee looking to extend its four-game home winning streak.

The Magic are 19-17 in conference play. Orlando is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 16.3 fast break points per game led by Franz Wagner averaging 3.8.

The Bucks are 16-18 in conference matchups. Milwaukee has a 4-6 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Magic score 115.2 points per game, 0.6 fewer points than the 115.8 the Bucks give up. The Bucks are shooting 48.1% from the field, which equals what the Magic's opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Magic won the last matchup 118-99 on Feb. 10, with Anthony Black scoring 26 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Paolo Banchero is averaging 21.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Magic. Desmond Bane is averaging 21.7 points over the last 10 games.

Ryan Rollins is averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals for the Bucks. AJ Green is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 5-5, averaging 111.4 points, 38.3 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.5 points per game.

Bucks: 4-6, averaging 109.0 points, 43.7 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.8 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Colin Castleton: out (thumb).

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), Taurean Prince: out (neck).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Chicago takes on Boston, aims to stop 5-game skid

Chicago Bulls (24-30, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (34-19, third in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago aims to end its five-game skid with a win over Boston.

The Celtics are 23-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 32.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Nikola Vucevic averaging 6.8.

The Bulls are 16-21 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Josh Giddey averaging 7.4.

The Celtics score 115.1 points per game, 5.5 fewer points than the 120.6 the Bulls allow. The Bulls score 8.6 more points per game (117.0) than the Celtics allow their opponents to score (108.4).

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Bulls won 114-111 in the last matchup on Jan. 25.

TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is averaging 17.4 points and 5.5 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 21.9 points over the last 10 games.

Giddey is averaging 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists for the Bulls. Matas Buzelis is averaging 16.3 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 107.9 points, 46.5 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.3 points per game.

Bulls: 2-8, averaging 112.8 points, 43.0 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 6.8 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.4 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Sam Hauser: day to day (back).

Bulls: Jalen Smith: day to day (calf), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Tre Jones: day to day (hamstring), Zach Collins: out (toe), Josh Giddey: day to day (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Portland plays Minnesota on 3-game road slide

Portland Trail Blazers (25-28, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (33-22, sixth in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Portland will try to end its three-game road skid when the Trail Blazers visit Minnesota.

The Timberwolves are 18-17 in Western Conference games. Minnesota is eighth in the NBA with 15.7 fast break points per game led by Ayo Dosunmu averaging 3.7.

The Trail Blazers have gone 20-15 against Western Conference opponents. Portland is 10-7 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 16.4 turnovers per game.

The Timberwolves score 119.4 points per game, 1.4 more points than the 118.0 the Trail Blazers allow. The Trail Blazers are shooting 45.1% from the field, 1.2% lower than the 46.3% the Timberwolves' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Timberwolves won 118-114 in the last meeting on Oct. 23. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 41 points, and Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 29 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is shooting 48.9% and averaging 22.0 points for the Timberwolves. Donte DiVincenzo is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Donovan Clingan is averaging 11.4 points and 11.5 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Grant is averaging 15.0 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 44.9% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 117.0 points, 45.4 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 9.4 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points per game.

Trail Blazers: 3-6, averaging 115.5 points, 48.6 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.2 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: out (foot).

Trail Blazers: Matisse Thybulle: out (knee), Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Kris Murray: out (lumbar), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Barnes and the Raptors host conference foe Detroit

Detroit Pistons (39-13, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (32-22, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Toronto; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pistons -1.5; over/under is 223.5

BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Raptors host the Detroit Pistons in Eastern Conference play Wednesday.

The Raptors are 24-14 against Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto is the best team in the Eastern Conference with 19.5 fast break points led by RJ Barrett averaging 3.8.

The Pistons have gone 25-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit is fourth in the Eastern Conference scoring 117.3 points per game and is shooting 48.0%.

The Raptors make 47.4% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.3 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (44.1%). The Pistons score 5.1 more points per game (117.3) than the Raptors allow their opponents to score (112.2).

TOP PERFORMERS: Scottie Barnes is averaging 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 blocks for the Raptors. Brandon Ingram is averaging 23 points and 3.6 assists over the last 10 games.

Ausar Thompson is shooting 51.0% and averaging 10.4 points for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 7-3, averaging 117.0 points, 43.4 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 9.1 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points per game.

Pistons: 7-3, averaging 117.8 points, 42.7 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 11.4 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.0 points.

INJURIES: Raptors: Jakob Poeltl: day to day (back), Collin Murray-Boyles: day to day (thumb).

Pistons: Ronald Holland II: day to day (personal).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Justice Carlton leads Texas to victory over Kentucky with 17 points

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) β€” Justice Carlton scored 17 points and No. 4 Texas overcame poor second-half offense to defeat No. 18 Kentucky 64-53 on Monday night.

The Longhorns (23-2, 8-2 SEC) improved to 9-2 against AP Top 25 teams while winning their 40th straight home game, the longest streak in the nation. But this one was in doubt until the final few minutes.

Kentucky (18-7, 5-6) trailed by 14 before the midway point in the third quarter, but found itself down by just one point after a basket by Clara Strack with 6:23 remaining in the game. Texas responded with four free throws by Kyla Oldacre and a 3-pointer by Carlton with 3:54 left for a 56-50 lead after Madison Booker grabbed the rebound of a missed 3 by Jordan Lee.

Texas made six straight free throws in the final 1:25 to secure the win. Lee scored 13, the only Longhorns player other than Carlton in double figures.

Asia Boone led Kentucky with 16 points and Strack added 14. The Wildcats shot just 39% from the field and committed a season-high 23 turnovers.

NO. 5 VANDERBILT 102, NO. 10 OKLAHOMA 86

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) β€” Mikayla Blakes scored 34 points as Vanderbilt beat Oklahoma.

After getting outscored in the first half of their last four games, the Commodores (23-2, 9-2 Southeastern) scored 59 points on their way to a 19-point halftime lead.

Oklahoma (17-6, 5-5) took its only lead when Payton Verhulst hit a 3-pointer just eight seconds into the game. Justine Pissott answered with a 3 that sparked a 12-2 run and Vanderbilt never again trailed. The Commodore took their biggest lead at 51-25 when Blakes converted a three-point play with 6:17 left in the second quarter.

Aubrey Galvan had a career high 30 points, 17 in the first half. Her previous high was 20 in Vanderbilt’s 72-69 win over No. 7 Michigan on Jan. 19.

Pissott had 16 points and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda had 13 points and nine rebounds for Vanderbilt.

Pistons snap Hornets' 9-game streak with 110-104 win in game marred by fight, ejections

Cade Cunningham had 33 points and nine rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons hung on to beat Charlotte 110-104 on Monday night, snapping the Hornets’ nine-game winning streak in a wild game that included a fight and four player ejections.

Charlotte coach Charles Lee was also ejected after having to be restrained from going after an official while arguing a no-call in the fourth quarter.

Duncan Robinson scored 18 points for the Pistons and Jalen Duren added 15 before being ejected when he ignited the brawl by hitting Moussa Diabate with an open right hand in the third quarter.

Brandon Miller scored 24 points for the Hornets, while LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel each had 20.

Midway through the third quarter Duren was driving toward the basket when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren got face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, igniting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds.

While Pistons forward Tobias Harris was holding Diabate back, Diabate threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges charged at him, throwing a left-handed punch. Duren retaliated with a punch. Diabate attempted to charge again at Duren and had to be held back. Isaiah Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the players tussled.

Diabate, Bridges, Duren and Stewart were ejected.

NETS 123, BULLS 115

NEW YORK (AP) β€” Nic Claxton scored 28 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Brooklyn to a win over Chicago.

Noah Clowney added 20 points for Brooklyn, which won its second in a row. Drake Powell had 14 points off the bench, rookies Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore each had 13 and Ziaire Williams added 11.

The Nets won three of the four meetings between the Eastern Conference teams that are rebuilding.

Anfernee Simons scored 23 points for Chicago, which lost its fifth straight. Collin Sexton scored 19 off the bench and Matas Buzelis had 18.

JAZZ 115, HEAT 111

MIAMI (AP) β€” Brice Sensabaugh made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 47 seconds remaining to lift Utah to a victory over Miami.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 22 points, Lauri Markkanen added 17, Kyle Filipowski had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Ace Bailey also scored 16 for the Jazz, who won for only the fifth time in their last 23 games.

The Jazz erased a 108-103 deficit with 3:32 left and got within one at 111-110 on Isaiah Collier’s jumper with 1:23 remaining. Sensabaugh, who finished with 14 points, then connected with his shot from behind the arc.

Miami twice had opportunities at a tying or go-ahead score. Andrew Wiggins missed a short jumper with 36 seconds left and Kasparas Jakucionis’ corner 3-point attempt bounced off the rim with 4 seconds left.

Sensabaugh’s two free throws with 3 seconds remaining clinched the win for Utah.

Wiggins scored 26 points, Bam Adebayo had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Jakucionis finished with 20 points for the Heat.

MAGIC 118, BUCKS 99

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) β€” Anthony Black scored 26 points, Desmond Bane added 25 and Orlando beat Milwaukee to snap the Bucks’ season-long three-game win streak.

Magic forward Franz Wagner played 17 minutes after missing 23 of the last 25 games due to a high ankle sprain. Wagner came off the bench for the first time in his career and finished with 14 points and five rebounds.

Kevin Porter Jr. led Milwaukee with 28 points and seven assists, but the Bucks committed 20 turnovers and gave up 67 points in the second half. that ended their season-long three-game win streak.

TIMBERWOLVES 138, HAWKS 116

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) β€” Anthony Edwards scored 21 of his 30 points in the first half as Minnesota used a dominant second quarter to cruise to a win against the short-handed Atlanta.

Edwards led seven Minnesota players scoring in double figures, pushing the Timberwolves to a commanding win after a pair of disappointing losses to New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers. Julius Randle has 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for Minnesota, which had lost three of four.

A game without much intensity changed early in the fourth when Atlanta’s Mouhamed Gueye appeared to trip up Wolves center Naz Reid. The two came together in an altercation that included a crowd of people trying to break up the two players. Both players were ejected.

Newcomer Ayo Dosunmu, playing his second game after being acquired in a trade from Chicago, had 21 points off the bench as Minnesota led by as many as 31.

CJ McCollum had 38 points for the Hawks, who have lost four of five and were playing without Jalen Johnson (left knee inflammation), Antonio Daniels (right ankle inflammation) and newly acquired Jonathan Kumiga (left knee bone bruise).

PELICANS 120, KINGS 94

NEW ORLEANS (AP) β€” Trey Murphy III made five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Jeremiah Fears scored 14 of his 20 in the second half and New Orleans sent Sacramento to their 13th straight loss.

The Kings have their most consecutive losses since the franchise moved from Kansas City to Sacramento ahead of the 1985-86 season.

Murphy has made 23 3-pointers on 40 attempts (72.5%) in the last three games. Zion Williamson scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and had six assists for New Orleans.

Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and career-high 20 rebounds β€” the 7-foot-1 rookie’s eighth double-double this season β€” for Sacramento. Russell Westbrook added 17 points, Devin Carter scored 12 and Nique Clifford 10.

Tuesday's Time Schedule

All Times EST

Tuesday, Feb. 10

NBA

Indiana at New York, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Houston, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

San Antonio at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

T25 MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

No. 3 Houston at Utah, 9 p.m.

No. 4 Duke at Pittsburgh, 9 p.m.

No. 5 Iowa State at TCU, 9 p.m.

No. 7 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Purdue, 7 p.m.

No. 8 Illinois vs. Wisconsin 8 p.m.

No. 11 North Carolina at Miami, 7 p.m.

No. 12 Gonzaga vs, Washington State, 11 p.m.

No. 15 Virginia at Florida State, 7 p.m.

No. 19 Vanderbilt at Auburn 7 p.m.

No. 21 Arkansas at LSU 9 p.m.

No. 22 BYU at Baylor, 7 p.m.

T25 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

No. 16 Texas Tech vs. Kansas, 7 p.m.

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Before yesterdayMain stream

Marquette visits Lewis and Villanova

Marquette Golden Eagles (9-15, 4-9 Big East) at Villanova Wildcats (18-5, 9-3 Big East)

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Villanova plays Marquette after Acaden Lewis scored 26 points in Villanova's 80-73 victory against the Georgetown Hoyas.

The Wildcats are 10-2 in home games. Villanova has a 1-0 record in one-possession games.

The Golden Eagles are 4-9 in Big East play. Marquette leads the Big East scoring 15.3 fast break points per game.

Villanova averages 9.9 made 3-pointers per game, 2.2 more made shots than the 7.7 per game Marquette gives up. Marquette averages 6.6 more points per game (75.5) than Villanova gives up (68.9).

The Wildcats and Golden Eagles meet Tuesday for the first time in Big East play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Perkins is averaging 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Wildcats. Lewis is averaging 13.0 points over the last 10 games.

Ben Gold is averaging 8.3 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Golden Eagles. Nigel James Jr. is averaging 19.7 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wildcats: 7-3, averaging 77.2 points, 29.1 rebounds, 15.0 assists, 7.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.6 points per game.

Golden Eagles: 4-6, averaging 74.0 points, 27.8 rebounds, 15.6 assists, 9.9 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.3 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

No. 18 Virginia visits Wiggins and Florida State

Virginia Cavaliers (20-3, 9-2 ACC) at Florida State Seminoles (11-12, 4-6 ACC)

Tallahassee, Florida; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Florida State takes on No. 18 Virginia after Chauncey Wiggins scored 22 points in Florida State's 82-79 win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The Seminoles are 9-4 on their home court. Florida State averages 80.8 points while outscoring opponents by 1.2 points per game.

The Cavaliers are 9-2 against ACC opponents. Virginia is sixth in the ACC with 25.1 defensive rebounds per game led by Thijs De Ridder averaging 3.9.

Florida State averages 10.4 made 3-pointers per game, 4.0 more made shots than the 6.4 per game Virginia gives up. Virginia has shot at a 46.7% clip from the field this season, 1.6 percentage points above the 45.1% shooting opponents of Florida State have averaged.

The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in conference play.

TOP PERFORMERS: Robert McCray is shooting 44.9% and averaging 14.4 points for the Seminoles. Wiggins is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

De Ridder is averaging 16.4 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Malik Thomas is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Seminoles: 4-6, averaging 75.4 points, 31.3 rebounds, 13.2 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 81.2 points per game.

Cavaliers: 9-1, averaging 77.3 points, 36.0 rebounds, 16.7 assists, 5.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Monday's Time Schedule

All Times EST

Monday, Feb. 9

NBA

Detroit at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Orlando, 7:30 p.m.

Utah at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Atlanta at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Sacramento at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Cleveland at Denver, 9 p.m.

Memphis at Golden State, 10 p.m.

Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m.

Philadelphia at Portland, 10 p.m.

T25 MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

No. 1 Arizona at No. 11 Kansas, 9 p.m.

No. 22 St. John's vs. Xavier, 6:30 p.m.

No. 24 Louisville vs. NC State, 7 p.m.

T25 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

No. 4 Texas vs. No. 16 Kentucky, 7:30 p.m.

No. 7 Vanderbilt vs. No. 11 Oklahoma, 9 p.m.

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